In the mournful gloom br crackling death knells of forest debris, br sound a thunderous symphony br as vegetation, castoff and prostrate, br perishes beneath the br cloven hooves of fleet-foot deer and br the unyielding earth below. br br Ancient gargantuan trunks br stand sentinal. br Their gnarled limbs grown together br as each strives to reach the victors share br of life giving light. br br Centuries of selfish survival br spent vying for position, br has created a vast canopy that shrouds br the very face of the sun. br Built like a temple to darkness, br the brown and green ceiling br presides over the black abyss.